Pantone’s Colour of the Year: Living Coral

I am beyond THRILLED that the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2019 is 16-1546 Living Coral; an animated, bright and energising colour with a softer edge that is soothing and pleasing to the eye. Coral is actually one of my favourite colours because of its ability to mix incredibly well with navy, cream and gold. Often, we are reminded of long, warm summer days — I must admit that my fashion wardrobe for warm weather consists of white / navy / coral trousers with similarly coloured accessories, and perhaps, a punch of gold.

“It represents a feeling that’s out there in the zeitgeist,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute.

However there is more depth behind Pantone’s colour choice for 2019, more meaning which ultimately defies the “black hole of no deal Brexit to Malibu’s ashen burnt-out villas,” as Johnathan Jones writes and instead, projects a calmer and happier feeling which the world so desperately needs. Throughout troubled times, in a time of political, social and economic uncertainty, the simple reassurance of a warm, natural and optimistic colour could be just what we need to turn a chromatic world into one that is polychromatic and bright.

A dichotomy nonetheless, Living Coral comments directly on the fact that we need to pay more attention to the devastation of bleaching to the ecosystem. Not only is Living Coral cheerful and bright, the undertone is correlated with other concerns yet we are reminded that there is light at the end of the tunnel and every cloud has a silver lining.

“This is colour that promises paradise. It is a subtle, seductive blend, at once fleshy and ethereal, a colour that Pantone calls “natural” yet which, in reality, is exquisitely refined. It is a colour of escape and safety, a colour you can call home.” — Johnathan Jones

A Coral colour wheel from 36th Avenue shows us what types of tones result from this punchy, cheerful colour. Like most pure colours, tones are produced by mixing grey, tints come from adding white and shades are a result of throwing in black. You can therefore find the perfect colour for you if think the pure colour is too bright or too dark for your preference. As a pure colour, Living Coral can work in any home — either as an accessory or punch of colour or to create a glowing statement with more coverage.

— Wallpaper —

Powder Rooms, Entryways or Cloakrooms are a wonderful place to create a dramatic statement. Due to their small size and surface area, wallpaper has the ability to completely transform a space. Two fun wallpapers, such as the Leopard and Llama Wallpapers can add personality and character to a small and the coral colour is offset by either a Leopard or Llama repeat pattern, eliminating the risk of it being ‘too’ intense!

— Accessories —

Within a living space, you can cut the intensity with copious amounts of natural tones such as white, cream and beige while complementing Living Coral with a staple foundation of navy. As a colour, Living Coral embodies other meanings which carry meaning such as reflecting our innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits. These are positive qualities that would work very well in any interior space, but especially a living room where relaxation is crucial.

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Catherine Cornelissen

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18 Comments

I am really liking their choice this year – much easier colour for interiors that last years ultra violet. I love the way you have put it with the mint green and fuchsia pinks Catherine – an inspirational colour pallet.

Catherine Cornelissen

December 10, 2018 - 10:45 am

Abi — I couldn’t agree more! I was just saying to Lin below that while Ultra Violet was an exciting colour choice last year, I don’t think it was very feasible in terms of people easily incorporating it into their home!

Finally a colour that actually works well in interiors. I’ve been quite disappointed the past few years with Greenery and Ultra Violet. Both were rather niche colours and I really couldn’t see them permeating our interiors on a large scale. This colour is much more versatile though. I hadn’t thought to pair it with navy but it looks lovely!

I love coral but I am not sure I would be brave to have it in the house.. I am slowly adding more and more pops of colour so maybe one day.. for now I am going over to the dark side, cold tones and darker colours speak to me more I think.. Although I have added a few brights in my gallery wall!

Nicola Capper

Yes! Pantone have finally gotten it right! Coral is such a beautiful versatile colour and we’ve already seen this filter through in various forms already. Much more achievable to use in the home and will no doubt be a success.

For me personally, there is something “not quite right” about the shade. I love that they chose a warm inviting hue but the actual shade is simply too sugary and bright for me. I’d have loved something with a tiny bit more terracotta in it.

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